Alert

Getting To & Around

Last Updated : 8/21/2019

KIRTLAND AFB EditorMARCOA Media

Bernalillo County

Most People In Bernalillo County opt to drive, and for good reason: New Mexico is home to 25 magnificent scenic byways, totaling over 2,900 miles across a diverse landscape. Route 66 slices across the entire state — from border to border — and before a 1937 realignment, it made a loop to Santa Fe then rejoined the main highway at Albuquerque.

For those flying, there is a major airport right in Albuquerque with numerous air carriers. There is a municipal airport about an hour outside of Albuquerque in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

The county has a reliable public transportation system, and the area is served by Greyhound and Amtrak.

Airports

Albuquerque International Sunport is less than 5 miles from Kirtland Air Force Base and is New Mexico’s largest commercial airport, serving nearly 5 million travelers each year. Major carriers include Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, JetBlue Airways, Southwest Airlines and United Airlines.

Ground transportation includes bus, taxi, shuttle, Amtrak and rental car service. A shuttle bus provides transportation to the rental car center, at 3400 University Blvd. SE, where there are many rental car companies to choose from.

Public Transportation

Albuquerque Rapid Transit connects many of the city’s biggest destinations together: downtown, University of New Mexico, Central New Mexico Community College, Presbyterian Hospital, Old Town, the BioPark, libraries, shopping and retail centers.

For more information on the system’s service area and fares, visit ART’s website.

The Bernalillo County/South Valley Rail Runner Station provides south valley residents with a quick ride to downtown Albuquerque. The station’s location on Rio Bravo also allows for a quick bus connection to the Albuquerque International Sunport for people traveling to and from Valencia County.

For more information on fees and scheduling, visit the website.

Driving and Commuting

Bernalillo County is traversed by two interstates and various state routes. Within Bernalillo County, Interstate 40 (Route 66) runs east and west through New Mexico and intersects Albuquerque. Interstate 25 runs north and south through Albuquerque. In addition to the interstates, numerous state routes in Bernalillo County join it to neighboring counties Santa Fe, Torrance, Valencia and Sandoval.

NMDOT provides free, bilingual and real-time traffic information. Registered users can also create a personalized profile to receive phone, text or email updates about incidents on their specified routes at http://nmroads.com or by dialing 511.

The New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division issues driver’s licenses, identification cards and vehicle registration and provides other driving-related services. Find many of the required forms and general information at the division’s website.

Driver’s Licenses

Military personnel and their spouses who are stationed in New Mexico from elsewhere may continue to drive with a valid driver’s license from their home state, but in general, all New Mexico residents who want to drive must apply for a driver’s license once residency is established.

Distracted Driving

The state of New Mexico does not prohibit drivers from making calls on handheld wireless telephones while operating a motor vehicle. However, because localities are allowed to enact their own cellphone laws, making or receiving calls without a hands-free device is illegal in some towns, including: Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Las Cruces, Gallup, Taos and Espanola.

Texting while driving is prohibited in all of New Mexico.

Vehicle Registration

Applications associated with driving and vehicle registration are available online at www.mvd.newmexico.gov/drivers-forms.aspx, including DMV forms, requests for driving records and more.